SD Explained: Signature Gathering

Carl DeMaio has been soliciting voter signatures to make the change to the city's charter.

Backers of the Comprehensive Pension Reform initiative claim the measure would save the city at least $1.2 billion through 2040.

Most new city hires would get 401(k) saving plans instead of city-administered pensions, and pay levels now used to compute pensions would be frozen for five years, though raises and bonuses would be unaffected.

The initiative is backed by Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilman Kevin Faulconer. It recently gained the backing of District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis who, like DeMaio, is running for mayor.

Opponents, primarily the unions representing city employees, have called the initiative unfair and the projected savings overestimated.